Since Kanye West's performed in an entirely white pair of the sneakers at the Billboard Music Awards back in 2015, the Ultra Boost has blurred the line between fashion and performance sneaker more than few others. It's understated silhouette, simple colorways and woven Primeknit upper makes it the most stylish performance running sneaker made in recent memory (especially when worn with track pants). Most importantly, of the dozens of pairs of shoes I've worn in the past couple years, the Ultra Boost is decidedly the most comfortable. The full length Boost foam-lined sole kinda looks like you're walking on styrofoam. It feels like you're walking on memory foam.

But the original low top iteration of the Discount 207456 Nike Zoom Hyperfuse Low Men Wine Red Shoes, retails at a hefty $180, in the upper price echelons of performance running shoes and certainly closer to luxury sneaker pricing than casual. Now, how would you feel if you added on an ankle sock and $40 to the price tag?

Ultra Boost All Terrain (Adidas)

Well, Adidas did just that with the Women's Training Nike Flyknit Zoom Agility Shoe 698616-404, released back in September of this year. Billed as a fall and winter weather-variant of the Ultra Boost, the ATR sports an ankle-height sock for increased stability and splash protection, plus a deeper-grooved rubber outsole for better traction while running in wet weather. The original's plastic lace cage is replaced with Primeknit fabric, plus a smaller box that sits atop the shoe. Finally, the ATR comes in darker colorways Nike Flex Fury 2 Boys Preschool Racer Blue/White/Wolf Grey/Deep Royal Blue Running Shoes V72047,Shopping 240554 Nike Zoom Kd IV Men Black Dark Turquoise Red Shoes,Adidas Element Refine Boys Grade School Collegiate Royal/White/Black Running Shoes V46152, as to not show winter muck after a damp run. Adidas sent me a pair to review, so I took them not only to the damp streets of Portland, but to the streets of New York.

The original Ultra Boost is an extremely popular fashion sneaker, and new colorways are regularly sold out online and in store (check Portland's Cheap 154315 Puma Antifur Men Black Gold Shoes, for rare pairs!). The ATR keeps the original's subdued aesthetics, but the midtop construction adds a new design element which I think makes the sneaker well-suited for styling with jeans as well as athleticwear Nike Air Max Excellerate 4 Mens Black/Dark Grey Running Shoes V16701,Buy 176141 Puma Ferrari Firstlap Sf Men Black Blue Shoes,Nike Air Zoom Odyssey Mens Wolf Grey/Cargo Khaki/Lucid Green/Black Running Shoes V97214,.

As for the on-foot feel, the ATR is comfortable, but not quite as comfortable as the original Ultra Boost. Though the ATR's tougher sole provides better traction than the original it leads to an on-foot feeling that isn't quite as heavenly.

If you plan on doing this a bunch, the ATR is an excellent option. (Adidas)

As far as long-term wear goes, I took my ATRs to the streets of New York on a recent trip to test them out. They held up nicely during what I'd consider an everyday amount of activity (~2-3 miles of walking broken up with extended sitting breaks), my feet not getting particularly sore despite a long stroll through Comfortable 188477 Adidas Ax Flux Unisex Fluorescent Green Shoes,. But on two particularly grueling days, the first, an hours-long punk show on wood and concrete floors, and the second, Adidas Adissage 2.0 Womens White/Matte Silver/Shock Blue Slippers V92288,Inexpensive 227350 Nike Roshe Run Unisex Light Blue Black Shoes,Nike Air Max 1 Womens Black/Tide Pool Blue/Pure Platinum/Deep Royal Blue Running Shoes V29148,, my dogs were certainly barkin' when I returned home. Though I don't consider those days representative of normal use, the ATR, despite above-average comfort, is not a miracle worker.

Now, what about actually running in my running shoes? I'm not a hardcore or regular runner: My cardiovascular health is slightly above average at best, but I can put away 5 kilometers without trouble, and I did just that on the treadmill and on Portland's waterfront.

On the treadmill, the ATR provided a solid, comfortable ride. Perhaps it is because running on a treadmill is excruciatingly boring, but I found myself paying more attention to my body during this run, and I noted that the ankle sock kept my feet feeling more secured than with my normal low top running shoe Authentic 159495 Air Jordan 13 Xiii Women Pink White Shoes,.

However, the ATR really shined when running outside on a blustery November evening. Nike Flex Fury Womens Vivid Purple/Copa/Blue Lagoon/Black Running Shoes V85053,Buy 236035 Air Jordan VII Retro Women Shoes,Nike Roshe One Womens Black/White Running Shoes V32483,, partially down the Eastbank Esplanade and back on a damp day. It wasn't raining, but it had rained plenty earlier, and the path was slick and covered with fallen leaves.

And I just completely disappeared into my run Men's Nike Air Visi Pro VI White/Cool Grey/Black UK#N5-9218,Buy 231050 New Balance Classics Wl574 Women Pink Shoes,Men's Nike Golf Lunar Control 3 White/Pure Platinum/Wolf Grey/Black UK#N5-9420,. Maybe it was because the Old Town sign was extra-glittery that evening, but, Women's Nike Air Relentless 5 Cool Grey/Blue Lagoon/White/White UK#N5-9013,Inexpensive 178322 New Balance Wc696 Women Blue Shoes,Mr Lacy Junior Flat Lace CP364, as one wants when on a fairly intense run, I barely noticed the shoes on my feet as I jogged along the Willamette.adidas Originals Junior Gazelle 2 Trainer CP565,Comfortable 199316 Nike Air Force 1 Women Grey Berry White Shoes,Converse Nursery Chuck Taylor All Star Ox Party Trainer CP744, I had no issues with tightness, and the traction was excellent along wet concrete and the ostensibly slick floating metal bridge of the Esplanade. The only thing I really noticed was a slight bounce between my foot and the sole as I ran.

Now, is all of this worth the $220 price tag? If your running shoe or fashion sneaker budget is high, then Jack & Jones Tim Original SC111 Jean CP879,Comfortable 171882 Nike Air Max Women Black Shoes,Creative Recreation Baltimore Poly Hooded Top CP1022, nabs you a stylish, high-performing variant on a cool sneaker that'll help you push through Portland's blusteriest winter days. Yet, if you aren't committed to winter running, $220 is a high price to pay for a sneaker that mostly just looks cool. Antony Morato Chevron Quilt Puffer Jacket CP1212,Inexpensive 214942 Nike Air Max 90 Hyp Prm Women Grey Blue Shoes,Ellesse Verna Fur Trim Puffer Jacket CP1362, As someone who gets my cardio in elsewhere, I wouldn't personally spend the $220 on a performance shoe which I am not using for its intended purpose.

Then again, I will be taking my next few runs to the streets in my ATRs as long as it isn't raining sideways.

(Cool Stuff is a new feature at Willamette Week where we feature product reviews, roundups, sales and other commerce and shopping-oriented content. All Cool Stuff reviews are editorially independent, meaning we provide honest reviews and aren't paid by the brands we write about. If you do choose to purchase something after following one of our links, Willamette Week may receive a commission, which helps fund our journalism.)